Buckle with swingable release member



E. C. ELSNER BUCKLE WITH SWINGABLE RELEASE MEMBER Sept. 29, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 21, 1950 Zhwentor Gttorneg Sept. 29, 1953 E. C. ELSNER BUCKLE WITH SWINGABLE RELEASE MEMBER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1950 IL llllllx 'Gttomeg Sept. 29, 1953 E. c. ELSNER BUCKLE WITH SWINGABLE RELEASE MEMBER s Shets-Sheet 3 Filed April 21, 1950 fan m! C fZS/VER Gttorneg Patented Sept. 29, 1 953 UNITED STATES v( FHCE BUCKLE WITH SWINGABLE RELEASE Edw n Q- Eisn lend le. Calif, Application April 21, 1950, Serial 1537,23;

14 Claims. 1 This invention relates to a buckle of the wedge type and it is an object of the present invention to provide a buckle thatis not only quickly released, but grips more tightly as the tension thereon is increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide a buckle, particularly for connecting flat-sectioned members, such as tapes, that embodiesan outwardly swingable member that automatically effects release of the buckle regardless how tightly the same has'been drawn, said'member being designed to have a high power advantage enabling swinging thereof with little effort;

Another object of theinvention'is to provide a wedge type of buckle in which the release member is latched to obviate inadvertent release movement of said member to impart'extreme safety-to the buckle.

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positivein'operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceabilit'y.

The invention also comprisesnovel detailsof construction and novel combinations and ar rangements of parts, whichwill more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely shew and the following description merely describes embodiments of the present invention, which are given by of illustration or example only.

In the drawingslike reference characters designate similar parts in the several views'z" Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of buckle and embodying features of the, present in- I vention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevationalviewthereof. Fig. 3 isa longitudinal sectional view astaken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. f

' Fig. 4 is a similar view, showingthe buckle re;- leased. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a;second formcf the invention.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal on line 6-6 of Fig. 5. i

Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing said second form of buckle released. i Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side viewof relea'se means used in'said second form of buckl'ej s efione iew as ta,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a'th'ird form ofbuckle according to the invention.

. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken on1inel0-.-lll of Fig. 9. 1-'

Fig. 11 is a similarviewshowingthe third form ofbuckl released.

The present buckles are shown as connecting strap ends 15 and" I6 which may be the opposite ends of a single strap or the free ends of two straps that are connected to the same rigid structure;

The buckle illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. comprises, generally, a frame l1, wedge means 13 mounted transversely of the frame and around which strap end 15 is trained to provide a free and untensioned end IS on said strap end, release means 20ffixed with said wedge means I8 to move the latter to strap-releasing position, latch means 2| for releasably locking the release means 29 against inadvertent movement, and cam-wedge means 22 also mounted transversely of frame I! and arranged to operatively grip strap end I5. While the cam-wedge means 22 may be directly connected 'to strap end IS, in this instance, separable connector means 23 is shown to efiect such connection.

The frame I! is shown as comprising a pair of similar side plates24 rigidly connected by transverse shafts 25 and'26 in longitudinal spaced relation'.

The wedge means [8 and the release means 20 are combined in a single unitary structure 21 pivotally mounted on shaft 25. Said structure comprises a pair of arms 2-8'that reside adjacent the inner faces of frame plates 24 and are connected by semi-cylindrical wedge member 29 concentric to the axis ofshaf t 2-5 and by a cross-rod 30 at the ends of arms 28. The portions of arms 28 that are connectedby rod 30 are offset to be above the frame I], as seen inFig. 2, so that said rod can be readily-grasped and structure 21 bodily swung around shaft 25-."

The latch means 2| comprises a bail-like memher having ears; 3I- connected'by a cross-bar 32 and carried on pivots 33 extending laterally from arms 28. Thecross ba'r '32" is provided with a slot through which free end I 9 of strap end I 5 passes aftersaid strap end is trained around concentric wedge member 29' to form a bighti35. The ends of cross-bar32 are provided with lugs 36' that engagejagainst upstanding shoulders or abutments 3Ttliatare'formed 'in'the upper edges ofside plates 24. Abutm'ents 3-1 are so placed that'saidbail -lilge member can be swung on its pivots "33 towithdraw lugs "36 from behind said abutments to thereby freestructure 2'! for swingmg movement "around shaft 25. In practice, said baillike m'emberfalls automatically into latching position'when structure 21 is swung to the position of Fig.2.

The'cam -wedge means 22 is pivotally carried on shaft 26 "and' 'ex'tend's between arms 28 and is 3 held against endwise displacement between frame plates 24 by washers 3B which are slightly thicker than said arms so that there is clearance for the cam-wedge 39 of the means 22 between arms 28. The cam face All of wedge 39 is knurled or otherwise suitably roughened to bite into bight 35. Said face 40 is curved on a center eccentric with the axial center of shaft 26, the center of curvature being above said axial center so that the greatest length of wedge 39 is in a direction toward but clear of concentric wedge member 29. Integrally formed with cam wedge 39, the means 22 is provided with a loop defined by side arms 4| and a cross pin 42, the same extending in a direction opposite to the greatest length of cam wedge 39. The connector 23 has a hook 53 that is adapted to separately connect with cross bar :32.

The present buckle grips stra end 55 and connects the same to strap end it, when free end #9 is pulled to increase the tension between the strap ends. It will be evident that the more tightly end 1c is pulled, the more nearly will bail rod 42 line up with shafts 25 and 26 as the end 36 of the cam-wedge 39 bites into bight 35. Since release means 2c is locked, the buckle will remain tightened and there can be no slippage since any tendency for strap end 55 to slip is counteracted by increased grip of cam-wedge 39.

As shown in Fig. 4, release is efiected by first flipping lugs 35 out of engagement with abutments 3'? and then, by grasping rod Bil, swinging structure 27.! away from cam-wedge means 22. The semi-cylindrical wedge member 29 will thus be moved on its pivot so that the end d5 thereof will be brought opposite to cam-wedge end it. In this position, a clear space is formed between wedge ends 44 and 55 that is at least as wide as strap i5 is thick. Said strap will, therefore, immediately slack ofi to loosen the buckle.

In the second form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, the latch means 21 is omitted although the same may be used, if desired. Or, alternatively, the unitary structure Zla may be held against movement to a release position by a spring detent 5Z3 fastened to connector 23a and engaged by cross-rod 3011.

In this form of the invention, instead of releasing strap bight 35a by creating a space between wedge 29a and cam-wedge 39a, means 5i is provided for rocking cam-wedge means 22a to nongripping position when therelease means 26a is swung in the way that the release means 213 is swung. In this case, wedge member 29a is formed as a cylindrical roller free to revolve on shaft a and is not influenced by release movement of means 2%.

ihe means 5! comprises an eccentric cam 52 formed on that end of each arm 28 through which shaft 25a extends and a complementary eccentric cam 53 on each end of cam-wedge Sta. When release means 5a is in the position of Fig. 6 and wedges 29a and 3% are grippin strap bight a so the wedges 29 and 355 grip the bight 35, the edges of cams 52 are clear of the edges of cams 53. Upon swinging said release means to the position of Figs. '7 and 8, the portions of cams 52 having increasingly greater eccentricity pick up cams 53 and thereby rock the cam-Wedge means to strap-releasing position.

The elongated handle that is constituted by arms 28a provides a long lever that enables the rocking of cam-wedge means 22a with a light touch regardless of how great the tension on the strap ends. by the sliding engagement-between cams 52 and i 53. In other respects, the second form of buckle resembles the preferred form above described.

In this form of the invention, frame El a, wedge means 28a, pivoted structure Zla, cross-rod 30a, arms Ha, cross-pin 52a, hook We, and camwedge end 45a are, respectively, the substantial equivalents of the parts ll, l8, 2?, 3%, H, 32, 43 and M of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4:.

The third form of the invention, shown in Figs. 9 to 11, embodies the wedge means to and 22b and the release means 23b. The structure of this form dispenses with a separate frame, such as frame it or Ma, and is simplified to comprise threesimple elements, a wedge element 55, a cam- .e wedge element 56,-and a release element 5?.

Wedge element 55 is formed as a casting or forging that is generally U-shaped, integrally having a thickened transverse portion 58 that is the counterpart of wedge members 29 and 29a of the earlier forms and a pair of arms 59 that replace the frame sides 24 and 24a. The ends of said arms have aligned holes til. Said portion 58 is provided with a knurled face Bi over which strap bight 35b is trained.

Wedge element 56 is similar to theone used inthe other two forms with the exception that the end 4% thereof is extended as at 62 and has laterally projecting extensions 63. Said element is mounted for rocking movement relative to element 55 on studs or pins ed that have bearing in holes 6G.

Release element 5? diifers from those of the earlier forms in that the arms 281), while swinging in the same direction, are generally reversely formed, said arms being each formed to havean edge cam 65 that is beneath each of the pro-- jections t3 and pick up the latter to tilt element 53 to strap releasing position. The earns 55 are disposed at such an angle that, when swung about the pivot ii the same have a tangential approach toward projections 63 and slide past the projections as element 55 is tilted. The,

This power advantage, is increased swinging movement of arms 2% is limited by projections $3 entering recesses 51 that are defined by cams E55 and the extensions $8 of said arms. 7

While strap end it is shown directly connected to cross pin @222, the connector 23 may be used if desired. In other respects, this third form is. similar to the two earlier forms, cross-rod 3G1), wedge 3%, arms dlb, and cross-pin 32?; being the substantial equivalents of the respective members 36, as, 6! and 42 of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and of the parts 30a, 39a, la and Ma of the form shown in Figs. to 8.

While the invention that has been illustrated and described is now regarded as the preferred embodiments, the constructions are, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is. therefore, not desired torestrict the invention to the particular forms of construction illustratedand described, but to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of theappended claims.v Having thus describedthe invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A buckle for connecting two strap ends comprising a first member, a second member, a first pivot pivotally connecting said members, the first member being provided with a portion on one side of the pivotal connection of the members and adapted to connect: with one strap end and with a cam-wedge portion on the other. 'sideof said strap ends holding said face of the cam-wedge por io and we ge or ig gir tin -stirri alignment, a second pivot on the second member and parallel to the first pivot, and a swingable arm on the second pivot and connected to one of 'said members to rotationally move said one member relative to the other the mentioned :pmron the strap endsand'to strap re'lasiIlg position relative toth e otl er members.

2. A buckle according to claim 1: the wedge portion'of the second meme Second member, and an e N member "in the path of seen ble movement of the arm and engaged by said arm to move the cam-wedge portion of the first member relative to the fixed wedge portion of the second member.

3. A buckle for connecting two strap ends comprising first and second wedge members having gripping faces between which one strap end is gripped and over one of which said latter strap end is train-ed, a first pivot connecting said wedge members, the first wedge member comprising a cam-Wedge rotational on the pivot connecting the members and on an axis parallel to the strapgripping face of the second wedge member, the cam-wedge of the first member having its strapgripping face formed to progressively approach the gripping face of said second wedge member, a second pivot provided on the second wedge member spaced from and parallel to the pivot that connects the members, a swingab-le member on said second pivot connected to one wedge member to rotationally move one of the wedge members relative to the other wedge member and to a strap-releasing position, and a portion on the first wedge member adapted to connect to the other strap end.

4. The buckle according to claim 3: the firstnamed wedge member comprising a semi-cylindrical part carried by and movable with the swingable member to the mentioned strap-releasing position.

5. The buckle according to claim 3: the firstmentioned wedge member comprising a roller mounted for free rotation on the axis of movement of the swingable member, and interengaged cams on the swingable member and the camwedge member and engaged by movement of the swingable member to move the cam-wedge member to strap-releasing position.

6. The buckle according toclaim 3: the firstmentioned wedge member including a frame having side plates carryin the pivot between the two wedge members, abutments provided on said side plates, and a bail-like member pivotally carried by the swingable member and having a portion in latching engagement with the abutments to releasably lock said swingable member against release movement.

'7. The buckle according to claim 3: the firstmentioned wedge member including a frame having side plates carrying the pivot betweeen the two wedge members, abutments provided on said side plates, and a bail-like member pivotally carried by the swingable member and having a portion in latching engagement with the abut-v ments to releasably lock said swingable member against release movement, Said bail-like member having a slot therein to pass the free end of the strap end that is gripped between the Wedge member's.

8. A'buckle for connecting two'strap ends comprising two Wedge members between which one strap end is gripped and ove'r'o-n'e of which said latter Strap end is trained, both 'W'edge members being rotationally mounted on parallel axes, a frame connecting said axes, the second wedge mer'nber'cofnprising a cam-wedge having'astrap- "gripping face curved to progressively app-roach semi-cylindrical part movabl'e upon movement ofsaid 'to the 'in'entioned 'strapne1easing position, and means connecting thedtherstla'p end to the wedge member that comprises the cam-wedge.

'9. A bucklefor connecting two strap endsbomprising two wedge member's between which one.

strap end is gripped and over one of which saidv latter strap end is trained, both wedge members being rotationally mounted on parallel axis, the second wedge member comprising a cam-wedge: having a strap-gripping face curved to progressivelyapproach the gripping face of said first wedge member, a pair of arms fixed With and movable with said first wedge member around the axis of rotation thereof, the first wedge member comprisin a semi-cylindrical part movable, upon movement of said arms, to the mentioned strapreleasing position, a frame having side plates and mounting the axes of the wedge members, abutments provided on said side plates, and a bail-like member pivotally carried by said arms and having a portion in latching engagement with the abutments to releasably lock the arms and the wedge member afiixed thereto against rel-ease movement, and means connecting the other strap end to the wedge member that comprises the cam-wedge.

10. In a buckle to connect two strap ends, two wedge members having opposed parallel strapgripping faces, a pivotal connection between the wedge members, one member being rotational on the pivotal connection relative to the other, the gripping face of said rotational member bein formed to progressively approach the gripping face of the other member, manually operable swingable means carried by the mentioned other member, havin camming engagement with the rotational member, to rotate the latter to move said progressively formed gripping face away from the gripping face of said other wedge member to release a strap end gripped therebetween, and a portion on the rotational member adapted to connect to a second strap end.

11. In a buckle of the character described, two wedge members having opposed parallel strapgripping faces, a pivotal connection between the wedge members, one member being rotational on the pivotal connection relative to the other, the gripping face of said rotational member being curved to progressively approach the gripping face of the other member, cam means on the rotational member and having a curvature parallel t0 the curvature of the gripping face thereof, a pivotally swingable frame having arms, cam means on said arms and having operative engagement with the cam means of the rotational member to rotate the latter and move its progressively curved gripping face away from the gripping face of the other wedge member to release a strap gripped therebetween.

12. In a buckle of the character described, two wedge members having opposed parallel strapgripping faces, a pivotal connection between the wedge members, one member being rotational on the pivotal connection relative to the other, the gripping face of said rotational member being formed to progressively approach the gripping face of the other member, lateral projections on the end of the rotational wedge member most adjacent to the other Wedge member, a pivotally swingable frame having arms, cam means on said arms and having operative engagement with said projections on the rotational member to rotate the latter and move its progressively curved gripping face away from the gripping face of the other wedge member to release a strap gripped therebetween.

13. In a buckle according to claim 12: said swingable frame being carried by said other wedge member on a pivot spaced from the pivot conmeeting the wedge members.

14. In a buckle according to claim 12: said other wedge member being provided with a pair of transversely spaced fixed arms, the relatively rotational wedge member being loosely fitted between said arms, and the mentioned pivotal connection between the members comprising laterally directed pin ends residing in aligned holes provided in said arms.

EDWIN C. ELSNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 416,942 Myers Dec. 10, 1889 2,226,937 Masset Dec. 31, 1940 2,513,169 Griswold June 27, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 441,265 France May 22, 1912 281,393 Germany Jan. 5, 1915 

